Senate Substitute

TELECOMMUNICATOR FIRST RESPONDERS (Sections 67.145, 70.631, 170.310, 190.091, 650.320, 650.330, and 650.340)

This act adds "telecommunicator first responder" to the definition of "first responder" in various provisions of law. Additionally, this act provides that the Department of Health and Senior Services shall offer a vaccination program to certain Missouri State Highway Patrol telecommunicators who may be exposed to infectious diseases.

Furthermore, this act provides that political subdivisions may elect to cover telecommunicator first responders as public safety personnel.

These provisions are substantially similar to SB 46 (2023) and to provisions in HB 1676 (2022), HB 1637 (2022), HCS/HB 2381 (2022), and SCS/HB 2088, et al (2022).

COMPENSATION FOR PEACE OFFICERS (Sections 84.480 & 84.510)

This act repeals provisions relating to a mandatory salary range for the Kansas City chief of police and allows the Board of Police Commissioners to establish a range for the salary by resolution.

Additionally, this act repeals provisions relating to a mandatory salary cap for Kansas City police officers as provided in the act.

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS FOR CITY OF ST. LOUIS LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS (Section 84.344)

Under current law, law enforcement officers of St. Louis City hired after August 31, 2023, will be subject to a residency requirement.

This act changes those provisions to those hired after August 31, 2028.

WORKERS COMPENSATION FOR FIRST RESPONDERS (Section 287.067)

This act establishes post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders, Fifth Edition, (DSM-5) as a compensable occupational disease under workers' compensation when diagnosed in first responders, as defined in the act. A first responder shall not require a physical injury in order to be eligible for benefits, but preexisting PTSD is not compensable. The time for notice of injury or death in cases of compensable PTSD is measured from exposure to one of the qualifying stressors listed in the DSM-5 criteria, or the diagnosis of the disorder, whichever is later. Any claim for compensation for an injury shall be properly noticed to the Division of Workers' Compensation within 52 weeks after the qualifying exposure, or the diagnosis of the disorder, whichever is later.

CRITICAL INCIDENT STRESS MANAGEMENT PROGRAM (Section 590.192)

This act adds firefighters as eligible first responder personnel to receive services from the Critical Incident Stress Management Program of the Department of Public Safety.

This provision is identical to SB 121 (2023).

MARY GRACE PRINGLE